THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Individual monkeys being spotted in various areas across the city has been gradually turning into a menace at several areas. The monkeys have been destroying crops and stealing goods from Kunnumpara, Kailippara and Vedar colony at Vazhamuttom near Kovalam, complain citizens. In the city, the Bonnet Macaque was being frequently spotted in areas like Vattiyoorkavu, Pattom, Kuravankonam, Jawahar Nagar, LMS, Thycaud, Manacaud, Paruthikuzhy during the past two years.
“They have been plucking tamarinds, coconuts and jackfruit and escape with clothes. Unlike, a cat or crow these animals can harm us,” said Reji Kumar, a farmer. Forest officials say the groups being found in the city were too small which was helping them to move around unnoticed. This makes darting, largely ineffective. “Cages also may not work as they are not big groups,” said a forest official.
As per certain theories, the monkeys were coming through interstate trucks that enter the city from areas such as Thenmala area. Others say that they have been moving to the city from hills like Mookunnimala due to habitat destruction caused by quarrying. Monkey menace has been reported in places like Thattathumala near Kilimanoor and Pravachambalam. The forest officials have appealed to people to alert them and make use of their rapid response team that was formed to battle the menace.
